Top Chinese military leaders Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli have been placed under investigation for suspected serious violations of the ruling Communist Party’s discipline and laws, the Defence Ministry said on Saturday (January 24, 2026).

Mr. Zhang is the Vice Chairman of the powerful Central Military Commission (CMC), the overall high command of the Chinese military headed by President Xi Jinping.

Mr. Liu is a member of the CMC.

The probe against them, especially Mr. Zhang, the highest-ranking military official, has come as a rude shock in the Chinese military establishment.

Dozens of senior People’s Liberation Army (PLA) officers have been sacked or punished under an intensified anti-corruption campaign carried out by Mr. Xi since he took power in 2012.